Diocese of Duluth

Pope announces Holy Year of Mercy

Pope Francis announced an extraordinary jubilee, a Holy Year of Mercy, to highlight the Catholic Church’s “mission to be a witness of mercy.” “No one can be excluded from God’s mercy,” the pope said March 13, marking the second anniversary of his pontificate by leading a Lenten penance service in St. Peter’s Basilica. (CNS) Read more >>

Lenten resources from the USCCB

Lent and our strategic plan have much in common

During Lent we pray. Our prayer invites us to a deeper communion with Jesus. We offer him ourselves in an ever-growing relationship. We fast. We give up things and stuff, the clutter, so as to rediscover the value and worth of all the good gifts we have been given by God (The Northern Cross) Read more >>

Upcoming Events

DIOCESAN ANNIVERSARY: A celebration of the 125th anniversary of the founding of the Diocese of Duluth kicked off with the Diocesan Assembly and with a Mass of Thanksgiving Sunday, Oct. 5. Deanery celebrations for the 125th anniversary of the Diocese of Duluth:

Brainerd: A holy hour, blessing of volunteers, meal and more will be held at St. Francis Church in Brainerd Sunday, Aug. 16, in the afternoon.

Cloquet: Prayer, a meal and a history presentation will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 27, at Queen of Peace Church in Cloquet.

Duluth: There will be a Eucharistic Procession in the City of Duluth for the entire diocese, followed by Mass and a celebration at the DECC Sept. 12 at the DECC. Additional details to be announced.

Hibbing: A holy hour and history presentation will take place at St. Joseph Church in Grand Rapids March 8, beginning at 5 p.m.

Virginia: Mass and a history presentation will take place March 1 at St. Martin in Tower, beginning at 3 p.m.

MINI-TEKAKWITHA CONFERENCE — A Mini-Tekakwitha Conference, hosted by the Diocese of Duluth Kateri Circles, will be held April 24-26 on the Grand Portage Reservation. Bishop Paul Sirba will celebrate Mass and speak on Saturday, and on Sunday attendees will join the parishioners at Holy Rosary Church for their noon Mass with Father Seamus Walsh. There is no cost to the event. Registration is due by April 10. See the Indian Ministry page for more details.

MORE EVENTS: For information on additional, see the calendar from the March 2015 edition of The Northern Cross here.

Issues

STRATEGIC PLANNING: The Diocese of Duluth Five Year Strategic Plan, effective from 2012 to 2017, along with the implementation handbook, is available here. You can find an update on what’s been implemented so far here.

RELIGIOUS LIBERTY: In an important ruling touching on religious liberty issues, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of Hobby Lobby, which was challenging part of the contraceptive mandate of the Affordable Care Act.

SAFE ENVIRONMENT: Bishop Paul Sirba, in December 2013, released names of clergy credibly abused of sexual abuse of a minor. More information is available here. Statement from Father James Bissonette on Father Timothy Backous, OSB, is available here. Statement from Fr. Eric Hastings, Chancellor regarding Fr. Nicholson and Fr. Klien here.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT: The Diocese of Duluth has released its audited financial reports. Please see the document here.